Heat Transfer Vinyl 101 – Tips, Tricks and Everything You Need to Know About HTV
If you’re looking to add some personality to your crafts, heat transfer vinyl is a great way to do it. In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about heat transfer vinyl, from the basics of how it works to advanced techniques for creating stunning designs.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (also called HTV or Iron-On Vinyl) looks and works almost exactly the same as adhesive vinyl. You use your Cricut to create your designs to add to projects and products, but rather than having a sticky backing, you use heat to adhere it to surfaces.
It’s the perfect way to customise fabric projects, and its primary use is for adding designs to t-shirts and clothing, but it can actually be used on all kinds of surfaces!
What Are the Different Types of Heat Transfer Vinyl?
The short answer to this would be, much like regular vinyl, you can get HTV in a matte or gloss finish. The long answer is that there is a whole range of types and finishes of HTV, and you really are spoilt for choice once you look at all the options! Here are some of my favourite ones to use:
- Glitter HTV – Perfect for adding a bit of sparkle to your projects. You can get chunky glitter HTV as well as fine glitter and shimmer finishes.
- Stretch HTV – Stretch HTV usually feels softer and thinner than regular iron on vinyl. Its added elasticity means it can move more with a garment and won’t warp or crack if stretched which makes it perfect for adding to sports/active wear.
- Flock Heat Transfer Vinyl – Has a velvet like finish
- Glow In The Dark HTV
- Holographic HTV
Where To Buy HTV
UK Crafters
- GM Crafts – GM Crafts stock a large range of HTV and self adhesive vinyl in multiple finishes. Their Turbo Press range is ideal for using on materials that can’t withstand prolonged high heat, it only needs a 3-5 second press time at a low heat to fully adhere!
- Hebe Wholesale – Hebe Wholesale stocks a great range of specialist HTV rolls. I particularily love their printed design rolls.
US and Canadian Crafters
I’m always envious of US and Canadian crafters as you have such a good selection of Crafting stores that you can visit to pick up supplies in person; I’d love to have a Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Joannes in this country! If you’re looking to buy HTV online though I highly recommend having a look at the following online stores
- HTV Labs – HTV Labs have an excellent range of HTV and adhesive vinyl as well as having a great value membership where you get access to their SVG library and a monthly mystery vinyl box sent to your door. CraftHustleDirectory readers can get a 10% discount off of their order at HTV Labs using the coupon code ‘CraftHustle’
Must-Have Accesories and Tools for HTV
You really only need a heat press in addition to your standard vinyl cutting set-up (Cricut, cutting mat, weeding tool) but here are a few other handy tools to have on hand to make the process easier:
- Teflon Sheets – Teflon sheets help protect both the material you are working on and your heat press
- Pressing Pillows – Pressing pillows go inside or under you are applying HTV to. They make it so that garmetn features such as zips, seams, buttons and pockets dont get in the way (they are pressed into the pillow) of you getting an even preassure on your application.
- Lint Rollers – If you are applying a design to fabric it’s good to get into the habit of giving the area a quick go over with a lint roller before application. There is nothing worse that finding a rogue hair/thread/bit of fluff trapped under the corner of your pressed design!
- Vinyl Remover – Mistakes can happen with any project but they can be a bit harder to fix HTV as opposed to regular vinyl. Using a vinyl remover solution can take the stress out of fixing any mishaps you may have and it means you don’t have to waste an item of clothing.
Heat Transfer Vinyl Tips and Tricks
How To Apply HTV To Wood
When it comes to putting designs onto wooden surfaces, iron on vinyl is a great alternative to regular self-adhesive vinyl. You can use any type of wood for iron on projects but there are a few points to keep in mind. If you are applying HTV to untreated or natural wood it can help to give the surface a quick sand down first to make sure the area is smooth. If applying your design to painted wood, work in sections and at as low a heat as possible to prevent discolouration of the paint.
I favour using the Cricut EasyPress Mini or a travel iron when working with wood as it allows for more precision with your pressing and you can work in smaller sections and also using a cold peel vinyl.
Lay your HTV design on to your wooden surface and lay a teflon sheet over the top of that (this is to protect the rest of the woods surface). Starting from one edge, apply even pressure across the design. It might take a few passes to get it to adhere completely but you will be able to see if you have missed any spots by removing the teflon sheet and having a look to see if the wood grain is visible through the HTV.
Once the carrier sheet is cooled enough to handle, peel it back and see if there are any spots that haven’t stuck, if there is, lay the carrier sheet back down and go back over that spot again with more direct heat.